Fraternity History

Tri Delta was founded with vigor and intention during a time when women struggled to find their place in the American higher education system. Ours is a remarkable story, and Tri Delta is proud to share a sisterhood developed by innovative women who were looking to found an organization rooted in distinctive values.

Although there were three women's groups represented at Boston University in 1888, seniors Sarah Ida Shaw and Eleanor Dorcas Pond saw a need for a different organization that would "be kind alike to all and think more of the girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

Not only did these two young women create the framework of our organization, but they also created its Rituals and symbols, wrote its constitution and designed its emblems. All was finished on Thanksgiving Eve 1888 when the two embraced each other and declared "Tri Delta is founded." More than 127 years later, their vision has grown into the dynamic women's organization we know today.